Rating: 
Summary: This is an exciting book to read!
Review: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book, the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I have read that there are certain inaccuracies, but that did not bother because I know this is fiction. If I want to learn about the real thing I will geta text book! The games (mind twisters) at the end are kind of silly, so I gave only four stars. But really and honestly, this is a book that you will keep reading. You will say "oh, I will read 10 more pages" and then you will read those and say the same thing again and again because it is very thrilling.
Rating: 
Summary: fascinating plot, but annoying cliffhanger style of writing
Review: I was taken in by the wonderful reviews of this book but the farther I read, the more disappointed I was. The writing is no better than a college creative writing course. Each chapter ends with some "cliffhanger" setup to get you to read the next chapter. Many times the supense is simply manufactured and not inherent in the plot details. In my opinion, the author was really writing a slightly disguised screenplay. I continued to read thru to the end mostly because I had not heard some of the quasi-religious "theories" that were presented. There has been some recent controversy on the basic plot possibly being a re-cycle of another book by a different author, but Brown's publisher has dismissed the similarities as purely conincidental. All in all, I am surprised that this book is at the top of the best-seller lists. It reflects the relentless downhill trend of American culture and the continued bad influence of popular TV and video games on writing in general.
Rating:
Summary: Very impressive to say the least
Review: I was truly intrigued and entertained by not only Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code", but other books by him such as "Angels and Demons", "Digital Fortress", "Deception Point", as well as books by other authors such as "Cryptonomicon", "Snow Crash", and "Darkeye". All would make up a great addition to any true reader's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: I was unable to put this book down. It was one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. Dan Brown has been able to weave an fast paced, intelligent, entertaining story. Pure fun.
Rating:
Summary: All nighter
Review: I was up all night reading The DaVinci Code--Dan Brown's newest thriller is too hard to put down to let something like a good night's sleep get in the way. He manages to give art, religion and history lessons wrapped in a fast-paced mystery novel. Throw in a little Holy Grail mixed with lost gospels and faith-shaking
biblical conspiracy theories and it's an irresitable pull toward a satisfying conclusion.
I wonder if Opeis Dei has put out a fatwa on Dan Brown? If I were him, I'd keep one eye open.
Rating: 
Summary: TV mentality thriller with an axe to grind
Review: I was very disappointed in the barely veiled attack on Christians, especially Catholics, in the book. Every few pages is an insight passed off as fact, or research. Among the his "insights" is that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were sexual, and that "The Church" crushed this fact. And that there are "other gospels other than the "few" in the bible." That feminism was the truth that the Church eliminated. The "well-searched" book actually describes "Wicca" as an ancient religion. It was made up from the writings of Aliester Crowley within the last century. Those who believe Kwanzaa is an African holiday, will believe that Wicca is an ancient religion.The author has stated in interviews: "was she [Magdalene] Jesus' wife, partner, confidante, beloved disciple, the "apostle to the apostles"? All this and more, says "Code" author Dan Brown. "I was skeptical, but after a year and a half of research, I became a believer," says Brown. "As soon as people understand that the few Gospels included in the Bible are not the only version of the Christ story, they begin to sense contradictions. Magdalene is most obvious." Written with that breathless style that gets one believing that the CIA killed Kennedy, or that the Air Force is suppressing UFO information. Ignorance gives free speech an advantage. Lies get around the world four times before the truth gets its boot laced.
Rating:
Summary: why all the hype?
Review: I was very excited to read this book, as I had heard many excellent things about it. However, everything about it after just a few chapters was disappointing. The characters were flat, the plot was highly predictable, and the writing style left much to be desired. My only guess is that this book is selling on the sensationalism of the secret society. If you're looking for worthwhile reading, this isn't it.
Rating: 
Summary: unfortunately disappointing...
Review: I was very excited to read this book, given the hype about it. I have my own ideas of faith/God, but I thought the premise was very interesting and I had an open mind going into it. However, as another reader said, the plot lost steam about halfway through, and I had to make myself finish the book. I got to about 10 pages from the end and put it down because it was just taking so LONG! Those last 10 pages were somewhat interesting, but like the rest of the plot, it was just too conveniently wrapped up. Plot was thin, characters were thin, denoument of the plot was long and drawn out. It's amazing what an author's agent/publisher can do to promote such a mediocre book.
Rating:
Summary: fast read
Review: I wasn't going to write a review until I saw that someone called this book a "masterpiece". Masterpiece of what? The "facts" (?) really are fascinating but the fiction is sub-Grisham at best. Conspiracy is fun but what about the art of writing? There were a couple of incidents so ridiculous that you may find yourself wincing.
It is a fast read, though. There are a few 2 page chapters and they go by really fast!
If you want to read an excellent book that includes thoughts on gnosticism and the questionable roots of Christianity then I recommend "The Dream of Scipio".
Rating:
Summary: So Much More than Your Typical Mystery
Review: I wasn't so sure about this book when I was contemplating getting it. I had never read any of Dan Brown's novels and I assumed it was going to be another 'run of the mill' mystery, but I was incredibly surprised! This was such an original and thought out and researched work that the factual elements alone kept me reading. But when you add in the actual story, I couldn't read it fast enough. If you are looking for something more in a novel than your typical Grisham, Patterson, Connelly, etc etc etc books, you've got to give this one a shot.
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